GENERALGUIDELINES/SOPs

REOPENING OFTOURISM

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, CULTURE, SPORTS, ARCHAEOLOGY, MUSEUMS & YOUTH AFFAIRS,GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA KITE

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAINTEGRATEDTOURISMDEVELOPMENTPROJECT

TRAVELSAFE,FOLLOWSOPs

EFFECTIVE 24 MAY 2021

Tourism and hospitality sector is one of the

hardest-hit sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic,

with impacts on both supply and demand.

According to the estimates of the World

Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the pandemic

resulted in an estimated economic loss of over

US$ 2 trillion of tourism sector during year 2020

in global GDP.

Impact Assessment of The Covid-19 Outbreak on International Tourism Updated December 2020, www.unwto.org/impact-assessment-of-the-covid-19-outbreak-on-international-tourism.

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EFFORTSOF GOVERNMENT

OF KHYBERPAKHTUNKHWA

In the first wave of Covid-19 Tourism Department

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took different initiatives to

support the pandemic hit tourism sector after its

opening in August 2020 after 5 months of

lockdown. As a major relief Tourism Department

took lead and waived off registration and annual

license renewal fees for all hotels, restaurants,

travel agents and tour operators across the

province.

To create awareness among industry stakeholders

and train them on “Safe Tourism” Tourism

Department, Directorate of Tourist Services and

KITE project held awareness and training program

involving government functionaries like district

administration, police, development authorities,

DTS, TCKP, Rescue 1122, health and TMA staff

along with local hotel and tour operators. To further

mitigate the impacts of the pandemic SMEDA

offered matching grants program for various

sectors including tourism.

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GUIDELINES FORTOURISM SECTORTo ensure smooth and safe reopening of the

tourism sector, all industry players including hotels,

restaurants & tourists must follow certain

guidelines to address the issue of health and safety

of their customers as well as employees.

Keeping in view the recent announcement by the

Federal Govt. to reopen the tourism sector under

strict preventive measures Tourism Department

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has prepared

the following guidelines in addition to previous

guidelines notified on 30 July, 2020.

These guidelines are in consonance with the

“Guidelines for Reopening of Tourism Sector”

issued by NCOC dated: 19 May, 2021 and Ministry

of National Health Services, Regulations &

Coordination, Islamabad dated: 21 May, 2021 and

have been modified in context of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa effective 24 May 2021.

Follow Government of Pakistan official health advisory

platform for COVID-19 website www.covid.gov.pk

Departmental websites and social media channels of

GoKP Health and Relief and Rehabilitation Departments

should be followed for travel advisories and other

updates.

DISEASE INFORMATION

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As a general rule:

Hotels, guest houses & restaurant staff,

tour operators, tour guides, must be

vaccinated according to National

Vaccination Policy.

All hotels and restaurants should display

at the first point of contact Covid-19

SOPs for all employees and customers.

The Tour Operators and Hoteliers must

share bookings and visit information of

each tourist with local authorities on the

attached format for further

dissemination.

HOSPITALITYAND

ACCOMMODATION

HOSPITALITYAND

ACCOMMODATION

TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

SPECIFICS OF THE TOURISM SECTOR

RESERVATIONSThe potential tourists should ensure that

they are healthy and physically fit before

embarking on the journey.

Mandatory collection of Negative PCR /

RAT COVID-19 report alongwith CNICs

by Hotels / guest houses management

should be ensured before booking of

rooms.

Those guests who are vaccinated should

be requested to deposit copy of

authentic vaccination certificate.

Hotels / Guest houses would not book

rooms for people above 50 years of age

without vaccination certificates after 1st

June 2021 or negative Covid test results,

as the case may be.

Reservation of rooms would not be done

for guests over 40 years of age after 1st

J u l y 2 0 2 1 w i t h o u t v a c c i n a t i o n

certificates or negative Covid test

results, as the case may be.

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

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S i g n a g e s w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n o n

sanitization norms should be placed for

staff as well as guests.

Place a checklist to be updated daily to

indicate that the room and other touch

points have been sanitized.

Ensure housekeeping staff are wearing

gloves and masks.

Room linen to be changed daily.

Disinfect the space of each room

thoroughly after checking out, along with

complete disinfection of furniture and

equipment available in the room using

recommended disinfectant (alcohol or

chlorine-based).

Daily disinfection of bathroom rooms

with chlorine-based disinfectants.

Availability of hand sanitizers in all

rooms.

GUEST ROOMS

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

ENTRANCE & RECEPTION

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

Temperature checks at entrance should

be mandatory.

Assist any doubtful guest in getting

immediate health care from the local

health facility.

No entry (including children) shall be

allowed inside hotel premises without

mask.

Provide safety, hygiene and other

instructions to the guests as per the SOP.

Ensure hand hygiene after every

encounter with the guests.

Disinfect the reception area and hotel

lobby at regular intervals (6-8 hourly) and

ensure adequate ventilation;

Mark out spaces clearly using measuring

instruments to make social distancing of

6 feet easy to follow for the guests at

reception, lounging areas and in other

areas of the hotel/resort.

One Room should be allotted per person

or 2 x adults alongwith kids.

Ensure both employees and guests use

h a n d s a n i t i z e r a f t e r e a c h c a s h

transaction.

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RESTAURANTSEnsure all employees serving food wear

masks and gloves.

Restaurants should be open on daily

basis for a limited time preferably in open

spaces.

Deliver meals if possible to the rooms.

Disinfect room service trolleys and

waiter trays after service.

Sanitize the cutlery, porcelain and glass

each time in accordance with sanitary

procedures.

Reduce number of tables to maintain

social distancing norms.

Staff should maintain minimal contact/

communication during service.

Use disposable napkins which are pre-

packed or individually packed serviettes.

Keep sanitizers for guests to use.

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

BUSINESS CENTERS &MEETING SPACE(WHERE APPLICABLE)

Keep enough space between work

desks, tables and chairs.

Limit the number of guests as per social

distancing norms.

Keep doors & windows open for cross

ventilation.

Disinfect each desk, equipment and

work area after the guest has moved out.

Place sanitizer near each desk.

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

I t i s the responsib i l i ty o f hote l

administration to inform the tourists

about the local SOPs, precautionary

measures and available health-care

facilities at nearby hospitals.

All road side food stalls/ chapaar hotels

must ensure that all employees wear

masks and provide clean water and soap

for hand washing.

Ensure that utensils are washed with

running water after every use.

Road side khokhas to ensure hygiene

standards as specified by local

administration.

TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

OTHER GUIDELINESHotel Management to display posters

p r o m o t i n g h a n d - w a s h i n g a n d

respiratory etiquette at prominent

places.

Sanitize inside of vehicles used by the

tourists by wiping with disinfectant

solution (chlorine-based).

HOSPITALITY ANDACCOMMODATION

STAFF MANAGEMENTTemperature check for all employee on

entering into the premises of the hotel.

All employees should be given masks

and gloves as part of the uniform.

Operational kitchens must be sanitized

at regular intervals.

Ensure proper cleaning of vegetables,

meats and all other materials that are

required in the kitchens; use approved

sanitizing agents to disinfect.

Ensure all tools get sanitized after each

use.

Employees must be well-trained by

management of hotels/ restaurants

about all SOPs.

STAFFMANAGEMENT

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TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

Zaghi Lake - Chitral9

For tourists visiting different areas/ attractions the local

administration should ensure that prior to entry to a tourist spot,

thermal screening of each visitor is to be carried out.

A leaflet of instructions indicating all the measures for their safety

should be provided at entry points by the local authorities.

It is mandatory for all tourists to always wear face masks in public

places, carry hand sanitizers and use them frequently.

Hotels and other accommodations facilities shall be responsible to

provide information leaflet to tourists leaving hotels for visit etc.

Drivers ferrying people to tourist spots are required to wear masks

and perform frequent hand hygiene.

Dispersed camping may be allowed with stringent monitoring

mechanisms

Where applicable, District Administration and local development

authorities shall devise separate SOPs for operationalization of

chairlifts, lakes etc in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Restaurants in tourist areas are advised to comply with guidelines

issued by NCOC for dining-in/ out as part of general NPIs.

TOURIST AREAS /ATTRACTIONS

TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

Check with provincial and local health authorities for health

advice or travel advisory imposed at different destinations.

Provide a gist of SOPs to every tourist planning a tour.

Provide a list of local health facilities at the destination to every

tourist planning a tour.

Notwithstanding any restrictions imposed by local transport

authorities, arrange group travel through appropriate transport

according to size of group to avoid overcrowding.

Prepare a leaflet for tourists to adhere to food safety and

hygiene as recommended by authorities from time by time.

Protect staff wellbeing by ensuring adequate supply of PPEs

and hand sanitizers.

Have provisions in place to record visitor contact details on

booking or entry (details of tourists, including CNIC numbers,

phone numbers, and home addresses).

TOUR OPERATORS /TOUR GUIDES /TRAVEL AGENTS

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TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

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MUSEUMS /HERITAGE

SITES

Specific timings for visitors to be notified and displayed at

prompt places.

Ensure all possible means to maintain social distancing.

Provide a copy of SOPs.

Introduce online ticketing to reduce direct contact.

Temperature checks at entrance of each heritage site/

museum should be mandatory and if possible, disinfect

walk through gate must be placed at main entrance.

Provide mask and gloves to the visitors at the site entrance.

TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

Foreign tourists to follow policy on

Inbound Passengers regarding

test and quarantine; vaccination

certificate would be required as

mentioned above.

Expeditions will be allowed only

after showing valid vaccination

certificates as required.

FOREIGNTOURISTS

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TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

IMPLEMENTATIONMODALITIESThe concerned District Administrations in coordination with

District Police, Directorate of Tourist Services and the local

representatives of various Associations of Tourism sector shall

ensure the implementation of above SOPs.

At all entry points to travel areas the local administration will

arrange check posts manned by LEA where all travelers have to

register and fill up a Health Declaration Form (HDF). Filling up of this

form is mandatory for all travelers before proceeding further.

Area/ location specific Implementation Committees comprising of

members from District Administration, District Police, Directorate

of Tourist Services, municipal staff of concerned Tehsil Municipal

Administration / local area authority and concerned Associations

of Tourism sector shall be formed by the concerned Deputy

Commissioner to ensure implementation of these SOPs.

Tourism Department to arrange necessary awareness campaign on

“Safe Tourism” through trainings, use of print, electronic and social

media for wider publicity of these SOPs.

Formulation of mechanism of stringent administrative actions

including fines, penalties and closures to ensure compliance of

SOPs.

Direct link of all tourist spots with nearest health facility must be

formalized by local administrations.

Sentinel testing using Rapid Antigen Tests by local administration.

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TOURISM SECTOR SOPs

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REFERENCESOperational considerations for COVID-19 management in

the accommodation sector WHO (31 March 2020).

Guidelines for Reopening of Tourism, Document Code: 40-

02, Version: 02 dated: 21 May, 2021, Ministry of National

Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Islamabad.

National Command Operations Centre (NCOC) Guidelines

of Reopening of Tourism Sector, 19 May, 2021.

Tourism Sector SOPs issued by Department of Tourism,

Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dated: 30 July, 2020 revised

17 March, 2021.

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Demographic Information:

Name:

Contact number:

Nationality:

Passport or ID Card Number:

Age: Gender:

Home Address:

Emergency Contact:

Daily update:

Symptoms

Date Temperature Cough (dry) Flu like

symptoms Difficulty in breathing

Others Areas visited

Signature

Note: Hotel administration will ensure checking of temperature with thermo-gun. Traveler will fill rest of the form and this form will be retained by the Hotel to be submitted to local administration at checkout of traveler.

DAILY HEALTH CHECK

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HEALTH DECLARATION FORM (Questionnaire for travelers)

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Name: Contact number: Nationality:

Passport or ID Card Number: Age: Gender:

Home Address:

Travel History:

Recent travel history (with in last 14 days)

Trip plan: Areas intended to be visited

Address of Hotel/Place of stay

Date of return:

Health Status:

Any medical history (Diabetes, blood pressure, heart problem etc.)

Do you have any of the symptom:

High Temperature Cough

Sneezing Shortness of Breath

Any other (specify):

Corona test result if carried out in last 7 days:

Date: Signature

TRAVELSAFE,FOLLOWSOPs

SOPs FORTOURISTS COVID-19

CARRYCOVID NEGATIVECERTIFICATE ORVACCINATIONCERTIFICATE

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, CULTURE, SPORTS, ARCHAEOLOGY, MUSEUMS & YOUTH AFFAIRS,GOVERNMENT OF KHYBER P AKHTUNKHWA KITE

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAINTEGRATEDTOURISMDEVELOPMENTPROJECT